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Racists or tolerant multiculturalists? How do they begin?

Phyllis A Katz1

  • 1Institute for Research on Social Problems.

The American Psychologist
|November 12, 2003
PubMed
Summary

This study explores the origins of negative racial attitudes by examining global theories and research with young children. Findings offer insights for psychologists on preventing racism development in kids.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Understanding the origins of negative racial attitudes is crucial for developing effective interventions.
  • Existing global theories provide a framework for examining racism's roots.
  • Early childhood is a critical period for the development of racial attitudes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize global theories on the origins of racism.
  • To review empirical research on early childhood racial attitude development.
  • To explore the implications of these findings for psychological interventions aimed at preventing racism.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive review of existing literature on the origins of racism.
  • Analysis of research studies conducted with very young children on racial attitudes.
  • Synthesis of theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence.

Main Results:

  • Global theories offer diverse perspectives on racism's origins, including social learning, cognitive biases, and systemic factors.
  • Research indicates that children begin forming racial attitudes at a very young age, influenced by their environment and social interactions.
  • Early exposure to diverse perspectives and explicit anti-racist education can mitigate the development of negative racial biases.

Conclusions:

  • The origins of racism are multifaceted, involving complex interactions between individual, social, and systemic factors.
  • Psychologists can leverage theoretical insights and empirical findings to design targeted interventions for young children.
  • Preventing the development of racism in early childhood is a key goal for promoting racial equity and social justice.

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